Picture yourself sitting on the most
comfortable barstool at your favorite
local watering hole. You've developed
a kinship with this destination
thanks in part to the cuisine,
friendly staff, welcoming
atmosphere, and a vast array of
adult beverage choices that never
disappoint. Whether you crave a
quality craft beer or a happy hour
cocktail at the end of a long day, you
know your bar won't let you down.
It's your home away from home.

THE

RISE OF

PENNSYLVANIA

SPIRITS

Written by Jason Cercone / Photography by Julie Kahlbaugh

14

| Issue 13

Now, take a sip of your beverage and let your eyes
wander behind the bar. I'm willing to bet much
has changed since the first time you bellied up at
this establishment. More beers are born in your
hometown now than ever before and are finding
their way to the taps, giving you more numerous
options every visit. In the same respect, spirits
have experienced a spike in availability and products born in small craft distilleries throughout the
state of Pennsylvania are overtaking the heavily
marketed offerings you see on your TV screen in
primetime.
The rise of the Local Revolution has given small
craft spirits operations a platform to market their
products and make them more readily accessible
to you. Just as craft beer provided an alternative to mass-produced macro beer, spirits made
in smaller batches with intricate attention to
quality, detail, and passion have done the same.
Throughout Pennsylvania, we now have over 30
operating distilleries producing spirits including
rye whiskey, rum, vodka, bourbon, ginever, and
more. What once was a world dominated by companies with advertising dollars has rapidly shifted
to entities producing craft spirits born out of love
and desire to deliver an exceptional product on a
smaller, local scale.